Nowadays, everyone is looking for different ways to make money online to earn some extra cash. With the COVID-19 pandemic bringing about so much uncertainty in everyone’s lives, this comes as no surprise.

Everyone wants a secure future for themselves and their loved ones. So, it is only natural to think about maximizing one’s income sources and earn as much money as possible while one still can.

From freelancing to travel blogging, everyone has a few income sources that they can utilize to increase their earnings and make money online.

Instead of chasing get-rich-quick schemes that leave you with less money than you started with, stick to real, tangible ways to make money online.

There are plenty of online business ideas for those looking to put in the time and effort. In fact, many of these money-making options do not require a lot of effort on your end. All you would really need is a laptop and a solid internet connection and you’ll be good to go.

Before we start talking about different ways to make money online, there are a few things that you should remember.

Before You Get Started

When they want to start earning money independently through online sources, a lot of people jump straight into the process without any guidance.

Instead of risking everything, you should do your research and find ways to make money online while still sticking to the day job that provides you with a steady source of income. At the same time, you can start on your side hustle in the evenings or whenever is convenient for you.

This is a better and much more secure way to build up multiple streams of income online without sacrificing your future security and diving into the deep end of the unknown without any safety net.

Thanks to technology, we now live in a world where anyone with internet access has endless opportunities to dabble into income-generating activities and begin earning some extra money online – all from the comfort of their home.

So why risk it?

Play your cards right and you are sure to experience success.

With that out of the way, here are 15 ways to make money online to get one step closer to the financial freedom you have always dreamed of. 

15 Ways to Make Money Online

Start Dropshipping

Starting with one of the best and fastest growing online money-making options: dropshipping!

Dropshipping has seen a popularity boost in the last couple of years.

According to Google Trends, dropshipping’s popularity is rapidly growing as a viable way to make money online.

Dropshipping is a fulfillment method where a store owner does not keep the products it sells physically in stock in a warehouse. Instead of keeping a physical inventory, the store owner purchases an ordered item from a third-party supplier and gets it shipped directly to the customer. This way, the seller does not have to handle the product directly.

This is a fast and effective way to make money online. It is also way easier and more straightforward to work with than keeping a physical stock of every item.

Make Money with Affiliate Marketing

When it comes to making money online, the power of affiliate marketing cannot be ignored.

It is one of the most popular ways to make money online. Whether it is Amazon or Shopify, you can be an affiliate for nearly any website.

Affiliate marketing allows you to earn income by promoting other products or brands by sharing a curated link for your followers. Whenever someone makes a purchase from your given link, you earn a small commission.

The commission may be small for every product. But you can always affiliate for multiple brands and include several affiliate links in a single blog post or video description. Which brings us to our next option: YouTube!

Start a YouTube Channel

Starting a YouTube channel is an endeavor that can pay off big time in the long run.

YouTube stars earn staggering amounts of money, with many earning upwards of $1 million. The big numbers these celebrity accounts get to take home can be discouraging and overwhelming for many new YouTubers. But that should not be the case.

Your YouTube channel and its growth are going to depend on your niche and the marketing channels that end up working out for you.

With YouTube, the secret is to provide information while also being entertaining. Entertainment is a big factor on this platform and is what the majority of your success is going to be built upon.

Start a Money-Making Blog

Blogging needs no introduction. It is one of the oldest methods of making money online.

If you have a knack for writing and believe you can provide engaging content for people then blogging is for you.

Making money from a blog can get a little hectic. However, with a blog, the earning potential is endless. You can make money blogging by selling ad space, affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, guest posts, and much more.

If you are not ready for the commitment of a fully hosted blogging website of your own, you can do it on third-party platforms that will host your blog for you.

Two of the most popular blog-hosting platforms are WordPress and Shopify.

Start a Copywriting Gig

If you are a good writer possessed with a creative imagination, copywriting is the gig for you.

Copywriting is an easy way to make money online that does not require a lot of time. It is an industry ripe with opportunity as brands are always on the lookout for creative copywriters who can market their services and products for them.

You can Copywrite for different brands using freelancing platforms. The best part about working as a freelance copywriter is that you get paid in U.S. dollars no matter where you live in the world.

Teach a Language Online

If you are bilingual, make the most of it by teaching a language online.

Teaching languages is one the most popular ways to earn some side money online. What’s better is that it pays exceptionally well with minimal effort.

There are many online platforms that enable you to become an online teacher and teach languages to students from different countries.

Become a Translator and Interpreter

Know another language? Then this gig is for you.

Translators earn a lot nowadays and this is an income resource that needs a deserved mention in this list.

If you are bilingual, try out translating services online. You will find a number of resources for this purpose with people willing to pay you for your services.

Welocalize is one of the most popular platforms for this purpose. It ranked amongst the top 20 companies for remote jobs in the year 2020.

Become a Freelancer

Take your current role in your 9 to 5 job and do it online instead. This way, you will have more freedom, less hectic deadlines, and less stress along with extra money. What’s not to love?

There is no shortage of platforms that allow you to practice your expertise online and make money from it. Two of the most popular ones are Upwork and Fiverr.

Each platform has its own pros and cons so you would have to do your research and find that fits with your needs. 

Set Up an Online Course

Creating an online course is one of the best ways to make money without working. Yes, you would have to put in the initial effort. But after that, you will be able to earn passive income every time someone purchases your course.

If you feel that you are an expert on a subject and you can monetize your knowledge, create a Udemy course on it. If you already have your own website or blog, you can also sell your course on your own platform.

In order to create a course that is successful, have a look at the best-selling courses on the same topic. Analyze what they offer. Look at the reviews of those courses and realize what people appreciated and what they hated. Then figure out how you can create something better than what is already on the market.

Focus on creating the best content and you will be good to go.

Sell an E-book

Similar to online courses, e-books are another passive income idea that people with useful expertise should utilize.

This option is more suitable for those people who already have a bit of a following on either social media or any other platform.

Use informational content and don’t forget to utilize SEO keywords in your e-book to make it easier to find by people.

Offer Web Design Services

Websites are going nowhere. And so is the need to hire a web designer.

While this option may require you to have some prior learning and expertise, it is also a high-paying gig.

If you know how to design a website, offer your services to people/businesses who do not have a professional-looking website. This will add professional work experience to your resume and make it easier to land bigger clients in the future.

Dabble into Paid Surveys

This option may sound too good to be true but hear me out!

Many online platforms will pay you to take surveys to assess different services or products that need to be measured and rated.

Surveys don’t pay much but you can sign up for unlimited survey sites and take as many surveys as you wish to. There is no limit.

However, make sure the website you are using is legit and not a scam.

Create an App

If you are a developer, you can earn some extra cash online by creating an app. Even for those of you who are not developers, there are ways to make money in this area.

You can always hire a developer using a freelance platform to create apps for you. The prices on these platforms are generally a lot lower for the quality of work provided.

You can then add your app to Google Play and the App Store. From there, the more people download your app, the more you earn.

Try Print on Demand

Print on demand is a great option for the creative ones out there. If you have graphic design skills, a great way to monetize them is to sell your designs on clothing and other products.

This has great potential in the long run for those who can stick it out. By creating unique designs, you can set yourself apart from the rest of the marketplace, creating an exclusive brand identity for yourself – something that people can relate to and won’t hesitate to buy.

Designers can promote their stuff on free marketing channels such as Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.  

Sell Your Stuff Online

Let’s be honest. We all have a hoarder in us that is guilty of keeping things that we will never use.

Have a look around your home and see which items you have never used or don’t need anymore. If those items are in a good enough condition, list them up for sale.

A great place to sell used items is Facebook groups or eBay.

Not only is this going to earn you extra income but also, you are going to declutter your home and set up better spending habits.

The Bottom Line

The internet has made it easy for us to find ways to make money online and earn an income. The process of making money online is easy and should not cause you any additional stress as traditional job roles usually do. It is a way to explore your passions while monetizing them at the same time.

Even if the online gig you use to earn money is not designed around your core passions, that is okay. Making money online is still a stress-free way to earn a side income that will provide you with the financial freedom and security that you require.

Making money online really is possible and realistic if you are willing to put in a bit of extra work and be consistent with it.